a deal that would avoid, for example, having to worry about raising the debt ceiling end of july, early august. is that at all doable? >> it is possible. i wouldn't go as far as saying doable now. but what i will say, the difference in approach now versus say two years ago when they tried this and it failed and it was, you know, almost the end of the world as the u.s. bumped up against the debt ceiling, the difference is they are going through what we call in washington regular order. everything is done in the open. i think that has lead to a different atmosphere on capitol hill where people know what's going on, they're voting on measures, and they're not waiting to see the white smoke from the white house when the president and house speaker and others are having private meetings that nobody is involved in. the fact that they didn't trust each other, then rank and file didn't trust them behind closed doors, that added to the problem. the fact it is happening in the open could help. >> at least the president is engaged in the so-called charm offensive, speaking with republicans, inviti